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Our food system, our economies, our cities and our communities — they’re all adapted to the climate we currently live in.

But what if the climate changes too fast for us to keep up?

The fate of the one and only planet we’ve ever called home is uncertain. It is in everyone's interest to come together to address the challenges we face.

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Why is our climate important?

Climate Stability

Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases occur naturally, trapping heat in the atmosphere and keeping Earth’s climate stable. But human activities over the last few centuries have released greenhouse gases at levels that are destabilizing the climate. In 2013, CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere hit 400 parts per million — the highest they’ve been in 3 million years.

Protection from Storms

From big cities to small communities, 50% of the global population lives near the coast — and they are all at risk from destructive storms and surges, which will become more frequent with the changing climate and sea level rise.

Water We Drink

Everyone deserves access to fresh water, but climate change will cause some areas to become too dry, leading to prolonged droughts. By one estimate, climate impacts will result in up to a 50% decline in water availability in many areas, causing irreparable losses to livelihoods and potential conflicts over water use. Other areas will be too wet — and could face increased incidence of devastating floods.

Food We Eat

Scientists estimate that, by 2050, global demand for food will nearly double. Yet the latest research shows that climate change is already disrupting growing seasons in many parts of the world, and the situation will only get worse. We need to use our water and land more efficiently if we are going to rise to the challenge of feeding everyone who lives on a warming planet.

EditText:Vulnerable coasts About 50% of the global population lives near the coast. But habitat destruction and land use changes are degrading and destroying wetlands and coastal forests — the natural buffers that help protect coastal areas against storm surges, rising sea levels and erosion.

EditText:Deforestation and land use change Massive amounts of carbon are stored in tropical forests. When we destroy these areas to clear land for ranches or farms, that carbon gets released into the atmosphere and accelerates climate change. Studies show that deforestation accounts for 11% of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions.

EditText:Insufficient funding Global contributions to climate finance fall severely short of what is needed — even though it would only take an estimated US$ 70 billion per year (less than 0.1% of global GDP) to make the changes humanity needs to adapt to a warming world.

CI’s solutions

Scientists estimate that by 2050, we need to reduce worldwide emissions to at least half of their 1990 levels in order to avoid further harmful impacts from climate change. It’s an urgent challenge, and it requires an equally urgent response. Around the world, many of the most vulnerable communities are already struggling to cope with the impacts of climate change.

CI has been pioneering ways to help communities adapt to challenges like rising sea levels, severe storms and more frequent flooding. We also develop new ways of farming that support a healthy environment, minimize climate impacts and create a better quality of life for farmers. And, in addition to on-the-ground expertise and scientific know-how, CI offers practical recommendations that policymakers need to make smart decisions.

EditCaption Description:CI and our partners work on the ground to help vulnerable communities face the challenges posed by climate change, such as rising sea levels, severe storms and more frequent flooding.

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